Supplier dynamics are also shifting. Imports from Cameroon expanded significantly, helping compensate for declines from other origins. At the species level, Sapelli shipments rose by nearly 30 %, while imports of traditionally dominant decking species from Latin America and Southeast Asia, such as Ipé and Keruing, declined sharply.

These movements reflect a deeper structural change. The U.S. market is gradually diversifying away from a narrow set of high-density tropical species toward materials that offer reliable supply, regulatory clarity, and predictable technical performance.

Other product categories reinforce this trend. Tropical hardwood veneer imports increased by about 19 % in late-2025, while hardwood mouldings recorded year-on-year growth, supported by steady demand from joinery, interior finishing, and value-added manufacturing sectors.

For procurement teams, the evaluation criteria are shifting accordingly. Purchases are increasingly justified based on lifecycle performance rather than price per cubic meter. Durability, dimensional stability, and predictable service life now play a central role—particularly for decking, outdoor infrastructure, and heavy-use architectural applications.

In this environment, suppliers capable of delivering consistent quality, documented origin and long-term durability gain a clear advantage. The market is steadily rewarding hardwood solutions designed to perform reliably over decades, not just seasons.